Starting January 1, 2010, Chinese buyers will get the rare chance to buy a genuine, Made-in-München (or Regensburg) BMW 3 Series at the price of a Made-in-Shenyang BMW 3 Series, while the Chinese BMW/Brilliance joint venture updates its production facilities.
BMW Brilliance will import BMW 3 Series in large quantities starting January 1, 2010. The BMW venture in China will stop manufacturing the series temporarily to upgrade its production line, Gasgoo reports.
Sales of Made-in-China BMWs are expected to top 43,000 units by the end of 2009, up 30 percent year on year. BMW lags overall market growth in China, which has been predominantly in the smaller and cheaper segments.
The imported BMW 3 series will be sold at the same price as China-made ones.
BMW Brilliance is building a second factory, but also wants to increase the capacity of its earlier production line to 75,000 vehicles.
China has become the fourth-biggest market for BMW after Germany, the U.S. and the UK. China’s continued strong growth should make it the third largest market for BMW in the next few years.
Only in the United States is “imported” the most powerful word in marketing. The rest of the world seems not to be that dumb.
Many countries in the rest of the world have import restrictions, absurdly high duties (often over 100% of the car’s price in the U.S.), and/or local content requirements for automobiles. Automobiles are often assembled locally from parts sourced overseas in order to secure lower import duties. I’m sure that the rest of the world are envious of the prices Americans pay for BMW 3-series cars (and we receive the largest engines as well).
Arent 3s made in SC?
I think that only the Z4, X5 and X6 are being made in South Carolina now, but interestingly enough the 1.5 millionth BMW made in South Carolina was exported to China.
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/bmw-plant-in-spartanburg-sc-produces-1-5-millionth-vehicle/
South Carolina was also the only place, I believe, that made the iconic Z3/M Coupe.
Both Mercedes Benz and BMW have significant facilities in China, I wonder if/when they’ll start exporting from China to North America?
The day after the new plant opens. The Chinese labor rate will more than offset any additional shipping costs from China to US. I suspect that China to Western US would be cheaper than Munich to Los Angeles. Hyundai (Alabama plant) is starting to look better and better!
Why wouldn’t they get the South African ones? like us in Australia…
Because they are right hand drive. (both countries)
Interesting Picture. It looks like the Chinese equivalent of Cal Worthington and his Dog Spot.
Herr Schmitt,
How is the quality of the Chinese 3 series compared to the cars made in Germany? Any feedback?
Alles Gutes und eine gesund Neue Jahr!